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Development agreement for new London hub

February 15, 2019

The British Library has signed a development agreement with Stanhope plc and Mitsui Fudosan UK Ltd to develop plans to build a 100,000 sq ft extension to the Grade I listed building, which will house state-of-the-art facilities for British Library learning, business and exhibition spaces, a new northern entrance to the Library and a new headquarters for the national institute for data science and artificial intelligence, The Alan Turing Institute.

The project will address the need for additional space at one of London’s most iconic buildings which is used by over 1.5 million people each year as a space for research, inspiration and enjoyment.

King’s Cross, St Pancras has undergone significant development over the last twenty years. In 2014 the British Library co-founded the Knowledge Quarter, a collaboration of now over 90 knowledge, creative and research organisations all located within a one mile radius of the British Library. The new extension will progress its role as a centre for creativity, knowledge and innovation. This partnership between the British Library and SMBL will sustain the Library for future generations to enjoy.

This development will be facilitated by the construction of extensive commercial space for organisations and companies seeking to locate in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, an area supported by MedCity and at the intersection of learning, data science and biomedical research.

Roly Keating, Chief Executive of the British Library, said:

“We are delighted to have signed this landmark agreement with our partners, as we take a leading role in expanding the UK’s dynamic knowledge economy. This project ensures we continue to grow as an open, creative and innovative institution at the heart of the Knowledge Quarter, in service to our growing public audiences in London, the rest of the UK and around the world. We look forward to working with local and national stakeholders alike, as our shared vision takes shape over the coming months and years.”

MedCity CEO Sarah Haywood commented:

“MedCity has been proud to have worked with Camden, Mitsui Fudosan and Stanhope to help see the potential and vision for this site evolve as it has. We are further heartened by the possibilities offered to further build on our links between our partners and colleagues in Japan and the UK science base.”